The Shire in the Woods was formerly known as the Dwelling in the Woods. It was founded in 1989 by three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet with a vision of creating a place where people can spend time quieting the mind and opening heart and spirit. They recognized the need for individuals living in a modern, fast paced society to be able to retreat to a quiet, nurturing place, thus replenishing the soul and deepening their connection with self, nature, and the universe. They settled upon a lot of 120 acres, a log house, and a sauna.

Over 20 years later, the grounds have expanded considerably. The Shire is located inside the Solana State Forest along the Soo Line Trail.

Enjoy wooded solitude and hiking on the groomed trails, meditate while walking the Labyrinth or in the Octagon, enjoy time around a campfire, read or relax in front of a fireplace. Enjoy cross country skiing, bird watching, snowshoeing, mountain biking, or horseback riding on the trails.

Spend time in the sauna or the octagon library. There are 7 unique, year round places which are equipped with many of the accouterments of home along with fireplaces. Buildings range from an entire house that sleeps 12, a large vaulted multipurpose octagon building, to a cozy one room cabin.

The Shire can serve your family, friends, hold your next retreat, facilitate meetings, host weddings, professional development events, and more!

Whatever your event, we will work with you to best serve your needs.

Faith

Open to All: Open to All

Mission/Lineage: We provide the facilities and the natural surroundings to enhance any mind, body, or spirit individual or group retreat experience. The natural surroundings will nourish and rejuvenate your soul!

Average Cost: $ - $$See Website rate page for details. Food is not provided at this time, but all of the needed equipment and utensils to prepare food are provided for in each dwelling. Some basic foodstuffs are provided. Some of the cottages have full kitchens. Children 17 and under stay for free. There are special rates for large groups (a large group is 5 or more adults).
Work Exchange:
Yes! Some tasks included in work exchange would be general gardening, grounds care, trail upkeep, animal care, and wood cutting. Call for more details.

Environment: Lake / Pond, Rural, Rustic, Woods

Gay Friendly: Yes!

Special Needs: Wheelchair Access

Pet Friendly: Yes!

Environmentally Sustainable:
Yes!
We organically grow some of our food. We compost all of organic and animal waste (horses). Recycling is key throughout the complex. We use off peak electric to heat our buildings during the colder months.

Travel Info: We are tucked away in the heart of the Solana State Forest and have the Soo Line South Trail running right alongside us.We are just over 2 hours North of Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)Duluth and Duluth International Airport is only 1 hour away.Cloquet is 45 minutes away, and Moose Lake is 30 minutes away.Mille Lacs Lake is only 25 minutes away.Hinckley and the casino is 40 minutes away.Black Bear Casino is 40 minutes away.

Steve
2/2/2013

"I am spending my first weekend at the Shire… I’ve been on the lookout for a place to escape the craziness of Minneapolis and know that I’ve found it. The charm of the cabins, owners, forest and all surroundings can’t be matched. I spent an entire weekend doing nothing and loved every minute of it. I hope more get to enjoy this “gem in the middle of nowhere”. Steve

Meridel
6/17/2013

"I have had a lovely weekend in the silence that surrounds this cabin. I’ve slept, built fires, stared out the window, read and I’ve written in my journal. I fell asleep at night looking at the stars through the window above the bed. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay three more nights! Thank you for being stewards and giving people the opportunity to experience “a little bit of heaven on earth”. Meridel"

Anthony
7/11/2013

"You may never know the difference that was made in the world out of your providing us this space to enjoy and use in the service of spiritual awakening and transformation – the ripples will echo outward for generations to come. Anthony"

Kathleen
8/23/2013

"Thank you for this beautiful solitude and such a warm welcome. The ambiance and peaceful nature of this retreat is worth every penny and is healing unto itself. Keep up the good work."

Riley
9/10/2013

"We came here for one purpose and that was to get away, to disconnect from all of life’s advantages, to go back to a much simpler time and that is truly what this place is about. To sit and do nothing can be the most peaceful thing you can do, or take a walk or look at the trees – anything to get away. I am only 15 years old but I sure had fun just unwinding and I am sure you will too. Riley

Kevin and Michelle
11/15/2013

"From the friendly welcome to the peaceful silence of the woods, to the coziest cabin imaginable... this has been everything we had hoped for and more. So tempted to keep this special place a secret to ourselves but afraid we won’t be able to resist spreading the word. Kevin & Michelle"

Kristin
1/20/2014

"The Shire in the Woods is the perfect place for the grand finale for the International Humphrey Fellows at the U. of M. Law School. We shared experiences and had fun hiking in the snow and snowshoeing. Many thanks. Kristin"

Reservation Criteria: Check-in: 4 p.m.Check-out: 1 p.m.Children: Children 17 and under are free.Pets: Pets are welcome, but please notify in advance.Smoking: No smoking in any of the buildings. Smoking is allowed in designated areas.Wi-Fi and internet available. Cell phone reception for most carriers.